Via Don Surber, we learn the London Daily Mail reported that BBC director-general Mark Thompson said that mockery of Christianity on British television was acceptable because Christianity was "an established part of our cultural-built landscape" which meant it was "a pretty broad-shouldered religion."

Thompson made these remarks after large Christian protests of the 2005 BBC2 broadcast of "Jerry Springer: The Opera." He conceded that the British broadcaster would never have aired a similar show about Mohammed because it could have had the same impact as a piece of "grotesque child pornography."

This is the same guy who has awknolwedged the problem of a left wing bias in the BBC (Telegraph interview in 2010), and has been repeatedly accused of a pro-Israeli bias (the DEC Gaza appeal issue from 2009). I fear the tank-net broad brush of doom  has struck again, color me unsurprised.

Enlightened Agnosticism. Means we can crucify, impale, feed to lions and piranhas, shove vipers up asses...but do not have to wake up early to do so. Noon(ish) is an established clock time for ceremony.

Could that report be any more third hand? Anyway, I would like to draw attention to the full quote that is taken from: "Without question, “I complain in the strongest possible terms”, is different from, “I complain in the strongest possible terms and I am loading my AK-47 as I write”. This definitely raises the stakes. The point is that for a Muslim, a depiction, particularly a comic or demeaning depiction, of the Prophet Mohammed might have the emotional force of a piece of grotesque child pornography." by "broad shouldered" he meant "mature", as christian suicide bombers are rather rare.

And as for those "christianity-trashing" plot points

1. Springer is shot by accident by Ku Klux Klansmen dancing around a burning cross, and he’s then transported to Hell to do a Springer show. A disclaimer is shown that reads in part, "It may not be suitable for viewers without a strong grasp of Judeo-Christian mythology."

More trashing the KKK I feel. Broadcasting their actions in video form is hardly trashing christianity.

2. Jerry reads one of Satan's cue cards to introduce the next guest. Jerry hesitatingly reads that the guest is, "The hypocrite son of the fascist tyrant on high, Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus is fat, effeminate, and wearing a diaper.

One of satans cue cards. Big surprise. And unlike other religions, calling our lord fat doesn't really worry us - getting upset over childish name calling is rather more suited to primary school

3. Satan sings, "So he turned the water into wine, oooh! So he walked across the freaking seas, oooh! So you got yourself crucified. Here's a little biscuit from me." Satan holds up an off-white cookie that resembles the Eucharist. Jesus then grabs the biscuit from Satan and holds it above his head before throwing it down as he sings: "I am Jesus, son of man, son of Mary, son of God. So do not, do not, do not f--- with me. I do not want your biscuit. I want your love and your respect, for I am love and I love all mankind."

Satan insults jesus, Jesus is badass. How is this offensive?

4. The chorus then sings, "Jesus is gay, Jesus is gay." Jesus yells at the choir to stop, but then admits, "Actually, I am a bit gay.”

He loves all men, after all.

5. Eve sings to Jesus that she shouldn't have been cast out of the garden for one simple mistake. Jesus responds that Eve had her chance, and she blew it.

Again, how is this offensive?

6. Eve reaches under Christ’s diaper and fondles his genitals. Jesus sings that he was crucified and Eve didn't even care. Eve and Jesus continue arguing and come to physical blows.

That's more weird than offensive.

7. Springer introduces Mary, and the choir sings, "Raped by an angel, raped by an angel, raped by an angel, raped by God!" The Blessed Mother enters. She is angry and pointing at Jesus. She sings a song to him asking things like, "Where were you when I was getting old? Where were you when the children cried?" Satan sings back, "Jesus wasn't there. He didn't care."

I take it this wasn't a heavenly choir? I'll accept that marys actions were counter to what we'd expect, but that makes 1 point out of 7 with any validity. Also, as you may have noticed, I couldn't care less what the devil says.

As for madness, I would like to point out that in the column linked in that article, the writer had a brain fart.

BBC director-general Mark Thompson objected when one newspaper counted the number of swear words and multiplied by the number of cast members who proclaimed them, and came up with 8,000. Thompson claimed the profanity wasn’t offensive because it symbolized the “moral and linguistic poverty” of Springer’s universe. “It certainly didn’t feel gratuitous.”So 8,000 swear words in one performance isn’t gratuitous.

If you multiply the number of swear words in a performance by the number of performers who say them, you do not get the number of swear words in a performance.

Somebody out in the blogosphere noted that if Christianity wants to be treated with respect, there needs to be some beheadings.

Not our style, at least in the current era, "Revenge is Mine", sayeth the LORD, and He will be both righteous and thorough, when the time comes. In the meantime, we ( of my ilk ) have been taught not to expect respect from those not of our ilk. It's all in The Book™.

I guess when the time comes there will be trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored and unleashing the fateful lightning of a terrible swift sword.